An Inspector Calls Ending Explained, Cast, and Plot
by Rubaditsha
Updated May 24, 2023
An Inspector Calls Ending Explained
An Inspector Calls is a captivating thriller written by J. B. Priestley, featuring an incredibly perplexing ending. Have you ever pondered the meaning of the ending or the identity of the inspector? The story is engrossing and gradually builds up to a climactic finale. However, upon finishing it, I found myself both exhilarated and puzzled. Below, I will delve into some thoughts regarding the ending. If you are interested in analyzing the character of the Inspector, I recommend checking out my post titled "An Inspector Calls Character Analysis: Who was the Inspector?" Additionally, you can find more information about the formidable Mr. Birling and the concept of capitalism in one of my previous posts.
So, let's explore the ending of An Inspector Calls and attempt to decipher its significance.
The Inspector departs from the Birling family, who then take it upon themselves to contact the police and inquire about an Inspector Goole. Surprisingly, the police claim that no such person exists. The elder Birlings breathe a sigh of relief, assuming it was all a grand prank, while the younger members reflect on their past mistakes. However, at that very moment, Arthur Birling receives a phone call from the police, informing him that a young girl has died and they are on their way to question the family. The Birlings realize they haven't escaped the consequences after all!
Now, the question arises: what exactly was happening? There are several interpretations to consider.
Firstly, one could view the Inspector as a supernatural being, akin to the ghosts that visit Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol." He assumed the task of showing the Birlings the errors of their ways and seeking justice for Eva. This interpretation suggests that the Inspector possessed knowledge that the Birlings would be questioned and that Eva had not yet been discovered at the time of his visit.
Alternatively, it is possible to perceive the Inspector as merely a plot device, devoid of any specific identity. His purpose would then be to prompt readers to contemplate the social issues at hand. The Inspector might not have been an actual person but rather a symbol representing justice against the oppression experienced by the lower classes.
Now, here's a rather unconventional and darker theory: what if the Inspector was somehow involved in the events? Consider this: a random individual arrives, guilt-trips the Birlings into believing they are culpable, then vanishes, only for the police to subsequently contact them about Eva. The so-called Inspector possessed prior knowledge of Eva before anyone else did. Could he have been complicit in the situation and orchestrated it to appear as something else entirely?
Personally, I am inclined to lean towards the first two theories. Regardless of the true nature of the Inspector, it is undeniable that An Inspector Calls conveys a powerful message. The ending, where the Birlings do not escape the consequences of their actions, contributes to the impact of this message.
What type of Play is an Inspector Calls?
"An Inspector Calls" is a renowned play penned by J.B. Priestley, which premiered in 1945 in the Soviet Union. Set in 1912, it is considered one of Priestley's most notable works for the stage and a classic of English theater during the mid-twentieth century.
Structured as a three-act drama, the story unfolds over a single night in the year 1912 and revolves around the Birling family, a well-to-do middle-class household residing in the comfortable town of Brumley. Each member of the family symbolizes one or more of the seven deadly sins, representing moral flaws and societal vices. Their lives are disrupted when a man introducing himself as Inspector Goole pays them a visit and begins to interrogate them about the tragic suicide of a young working-class woman named Eva Smith.
The style of "An Inspector Calls" draws inspiration from the conventions of old Morality Plays. It can be likened to a detective story or a whodunit, as it gradually unravels the truth behind Eva Smith's demise. Morality plays were religious dramas popular during the late Middle Ages, designed to educate people about virtuous behavior and warn against the perils of temptation.
They were not purely for entertainment but rather served as cautionary tales. In a similar vein, "An Inspector Calls" adheres to the principles of morality plays, explicitly highlighting the characters' sins and urging them to confess and repent. However, not all characters in the play exhibit a willingness to acknowledge their wrongdoings.
While "An Inspector Calls" shares thematic similarities with morality plays, it deviates from the traditional Christian framework of confession and forgiveness. In this play, the moral arbiter is not God but rather a police inspector. Priestley modifies the religious backdrop of morality plays, transforming it into a secular exploration of ethics and accountability. As a playwright, Priestley himself had experienced the horrors of World War I, having fought in the trenches at the age of twenty. By the time he wrote "An Inspector Calls," during the final months of World War II, Priestley had already established himself as a celebrated writer of plays and novels, lending further weight to his work.
An Inspector Calls Movie Plot
The movie is set in the year 1912 and revolves around a single evening during which the affluent Birling family gathers for a dinner party to celebrate their daughter Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft. However, the merriment is abruptly disrupted when a presumed policeman named Inspector Goole pays them an unexpected visit. Inspector Goole's presence is motivated by his investigation into the recent suicide of a local young woman named Eva Smith. Through his thorough interrogations of each member of the dinner party, it becomes apparent that their individual unjust, selfish, or exploitative behaviors have all contributed to the tragic outcome.
After exposing their wrongdoings, the "Inspector" departs, leaving behind a subdued group. Before leaving, he delivers a stern warning that human beings bear a shared responsibility for each other's actions and that the consequences of their actions will soon be taught through "fire and blood and anguish." This statement appears to foreshadow the impending outbreak of World War I, which occurs two years later.
In the final scenes, it is revealed that Inspector Goole is not a genuine police officer but rather implies that he is a supernatural messenger of sorts. This revelation adds an air of mystery and suggests that the Inspector's role extends beyond that of an ordinary law enforcer.
An Inspector Calls Cast
Inspector Goole
David Thewlis
Eva Smith/Daisy Renton
Sophie Rundle
Mrs. Birling
Sophie Rundle
Alice Grey
Sophie Rundle
Sheila Birling
Chloe Pirrie
Eric Birling
Finley Cole
Sybil Birling
Miranda Richardson
Arthur Birling
Ken Stott
Gerald Croft
Kyle Soller
Edna
Lucy Chappell
Miss Francis
Flora Nicholson
Alderman Meggarty
Gary Davis
Charity Lady
Wanda Opalinska
Character
Actor
An Inspector Calls Where to Watch?
Presently, "An Inspector Calls" is available for streaming on multiple platforms. You can enjoy the film by accessing it through BritBox or the BritBox Amazon Channel. Additionally, it is currently accessible on Netflix, allowing you to watch "An Inspector Calls" conveniently from the comfort of your own home.
An Inspector Calls Where Filmed?
Production for the film adaptation of "An Inspector Calls" commenced in February 2015 in Saltaire, West Yorkshire. While the exterior shots of the mill were captured in Saltaire, the interior scenes depicting the mill were filmed at Queen Street Mill, located on the outskirts of Burnley, Lancashire. Specifically for this production, a full-sized office set was constructed in the middle of the Weaving Shed, which was later dismantled once filming concluded. Various significant scenes were also filmed at Scampston Hall near Malton, as well as in the charming market town of Malton.
It is worth noting that the exterior shots were filmed at Attingham House, adding to the visual appeal of the adaptation. Similar to the 1954 version, this particular adaptation utilizes flashbacks to depict the described events, allowing for certain dialogues to be omitted. Additionally, it includes additional scenes that provide further insight into the life and death of Eva, as well as the journey of the Inspector after his departure from the Birling family's residence.
An Inspector Calls Ending Explained: FAQs
The filming took place in Saltaire, West Yorkshire for exterior shots of the mill, while the interior shots were filmed at Queen Street Mill in Burnley, Lancashire. Additional scenes were filmed at Scampston Hall near Malton and in the town of Malton.
The full-sized office set, constructed in the middle of the Weaving Shed, was dismantled once filming was completed.
The exterior shots were filmed at Attingham House.
This adaptation, like the 1954 version, employs flashbacks to depict the events described, allowing for the elimination of certain dialogues. It also includes additional scenes that shed light on the life and death of Eva and the journey of the Inspector after leaving the Birling family's home.